People v. Coffman CA5

BACKGROUND

Charge The Kern County District Attorney charged Coffman with violating Penal Code section 32, accessory to a felony. Evidence The victim testified he was in a “sexual relationship” with Coffman. Larios was also in a relationship with Coffman. On one occasion, Larios approached the victim in an alley and challenged him to a fight. No fight ensued but Larios did fire a gunshot at the victim. Three days later, Larios confronted the victim in Coffman’s home and said, “I thought I told you to stay away from … here.”3 He then stated, “You better get out of here before I blast you, fool.” The victim hesitated and Larios shot him twice. An eyewitness testified she heard the gunshots and then saw a man run to a car, enter it, and “dr[i]ve off real fast.” Coffman was the driver. Larios and Coffman were arrested together about one week later.

1 Larios was charged with several crimes including attempted murder and firearm assault. He was convicted by the same jury and appeals separately in related case No. F082078. 2 See Pitchess v. Superior Court (1974) 11 Cal.3d 531 (Pitchess). Pitchess motions, as they are commonly known, are simply motions to discover confidential law…